Wednesday, July 18, 2012

What Went Wrong: The Rockies jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one inning (thanks to home runs from Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez) and a 5-1 lead after two. That should be good news. However, the Rockies trailed 6-5 after three innings. And then they trailed 9-6 after five.

A Jordan Pacheco error didn't help matters (unless your main concern is Guthrie's ERA), but the Pedro Alvarez solo home run and the Garrett Jones three-run jack had already taken place, so it's not like the error began the unraveling. It's just a continuation of a season long unraveling for Guthrie that shows no signs of correcting itself.

I understand what Matt Reynolds role is. He understands it as well. I just don't know that is suits him very well or that you should try squeezing a third inning out of him unless it's a desperation situation. Maybe today qualifies, I don't know, but he did well to escape the 3rd inning. He was fantastic in the 4th. And then that 5th inning comes around and he just didn't have much left it seemed.

I know the pitch count was good, and I know he's thrown multiple innings before, but I think it has to be different warming up, coming into the middle of an inning, and then being asked to warm up, throw another inning, warm up again, throw another inning. That's why we've often seen Tracy use a reliever simply to finish an inning and then he goes to the piggyback/bridge guy to start the next clean inning. I think not going that route proved costly today.Turning Point: You had to know allowing the single to pitcher James McDonald would kill Guthrie. Three batters later, it sure enough did when Garrett Jones connected for a three-run homer, cutting the lead to 5-4. Then comes the Pacheco error. Then comes the obligatory Clint Barmes moment (two-run go-ahead single). It was the Pirates game to lose from that point on.

What's Next: The Rockies get a day of rest on Thursday. When they return on Friday, they'll be in beautiful San Diego to take on the Padres. I'll be looking forward to it for one reason: Drew Pomeranz (1-4, 3.79). He'll be opposed by former Rockie Jason Marquis (4-9, 5.59) and the super late first pitch comes your way at 8:05.

Final Thoughts: Hmm... Well, Andrew Brown had a nice game hitting out of the cleanup spot - three hits (two singles, double) and two RBI. Of course there was the at-bat in 8th inning where he struck out representing the tying run, but hey, three hits. That's better than two hits, one hit and zero hits.